Winemaker Notes
The Tenuta Polvaro Prosecco D.O.C. Brut comes from Glera grapes selected in a designated vineyard of the estate. The right exposure to the sun and a limited production, are all factors in the achievement of a grape that embodies the correct balance between sugars and acidity.
Founded by the noble Venetian Polvaro family in 1681, the Tenuta Polvaro estate has always had its focus on cultivating and harvesting the finest grapes in the Lison Pramaggiore area, Veneto region, Italy. One of the key factors contributing to high-quality grape production is the winery’s location. The estate is situated in close proximity to the Pre-Alpine region, the Dolomites, and the Adriatic sea, which provide the clay soil rich in nutrients needed to produce its artisanal wines.
The the Candoni De Zan family has brought this prestigious historical estate back to its original splendor preserving the seventeenth-century architectural landscape. Moreover, the vineyard has gone through a restoration process of its own. The soil has been delicately worked to preserve its natural fertilization properties, and the most modern oenological technologies were introduced to enhance the uniqueness of the wines. Sustainability remains at the heart of the company’s values, and it has been credited with an SQNPI certificate for its production systems and minimal environmental impact.
Tenuta Polvaro’s vines are a living testament to the rich history of Lison Pramaggiore and Veneto’s fine wine heritage. Some of the greatest Italian white, red, and sparkling wines are born in this verdant landscape.
A term typically reserved for Champagne and Sparkling Wines, non-vintage or simply “NV” on a label indicates a blend of finished wines from different vintages (years of harvest). To make non-vintage Champagne, typically the current year’s harvest (in other words, the current vintage) forms the base of the blend. Finished wines from previous years, called “vins de reserve” are blended in at approximately 10-50% of the total volume in order to achieve the flavor, complexity, body and acidity for the desired house style. A tiny proportion of Champagnes are made from a single vintage.
There are also some very large production still wines that may not claim one particular vintage. This would be at the discretion of the winemaker’s goals for character of the final wine.
One of the world’s most popular and playful sparkling wines, Prosecco is a specialty of northeastern Italy, spanning nine provinces of the Veneto and Fruili-Venezia Giulia regions. A higher-quality version of Prosecco wine that must meet more stringent production requirements is known as Prosecco Superiore and must come from the more rugged terrain between the towns of Valdobiaddene and Conegliano. Prosecco can be produced as a still wine, a semi-sparkling wine (“frizzante”), or a fully sparkling wine (“spumante”)—the latter being the most common. While Prosecco wine is typically produced in a “brut” (dry) style, its fresh and fruity character makes it seem a bit sweeter than it actually is. “Extra dry” styles, incorporating higher levels of residual sugar, are quite popular, however.
Prosecco wine is made from the Glera grape, which was formerly and confusingly called Prosecco, these wines are notable for pleasant flavors of peach, pear, melon, green apple, and honeysuckle. Lower pressure during the carbonation process (also called the tank method) means that the bubbles are lighter and frothier than in Champagne or other traditional method sparkling wine, and less persistent. Prosecco is also a great choice to blend with orange juice for mimosas for a classic brunch beverage.